Syracuse, NY -- Dinner, a play and global awareness will be served as the Congolese Community of Central New York and EJEDA conduct their first annual fundraiser Friday at the St. Daniel School gymnasium, 3005 Court St., Lyncourt.

An opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. will include information on pending legislation aimed at controlling trade in Tantalite, a mineral plentiful in the eastern Congo that is used in making electronic goods. Its sale helps finance militia and rebels behind much of the genocide that occurs there, event organizers say.

A play by the Congolese Community depicting a difficult era in the Congo’s history then will be presented, followed by a dinner of American and Congolese dishes, plus beer, wine and other beverages.